Ranking the prospective starting quarterbacks in the SEC
By Will Thomas
![Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz (15) looks to throw during the second half during the Florida Gators Orange and Blue Spring Game at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Thursday, April 13, 2023. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]Ncaa Football Florida Gators Orange Blue Spring Game](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2F5657e7cdf0f9ddbd1c02775723afba53e43b59d7ca72f2ac728ef7af4ccb5772.jpg "Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz (15) looks to throw during the second half during the Florida Gators Orange and Blue Spring Game at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Thursday, April 13, 2023. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]Ncaa Football Florida Gators Orange Blue Spring Game")
. . . Jalen Milroe. 7. player. 829
SEC football: Big shoes to fill in Tuscaloosa
It’s weird having Bama’s QB down at 7th in the conference. But this seems like the only year I can get away with it.
After losing Bryce Young to the NFL Draft, Nick Saban turns to sophomore Jalen Milroe to lead the Crimson Tide.
There’s no denying Milroe’s athleticism. The guy is a better runner than a lot of RBs in the SEC and can change the game in an instant.
But his passing was not good last season.
He appeared in eight games last season but had to play a lot against Arkansas and Texas A&M, where he didn’t throw it all too well.
On the year he threw for 297 yards, five scores, and three interceptions. His 58.5% completion rate isn’t great, and his 5.6 yards per completion show they don’t trust him to throw downfield.
He’s at seven because of his raw athleticism and playmaking ability, but also because I know Nick Saban won’t field a QB who can’t throw. He just won’t.
Milroe will be a better passer this season. Maybe not a great one, but a better one.